Stuart Kendrick outlines top stable chances for Magic Millions carnival

Champion Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick is riding the high of his opening Magic Millions carnival winner but is now sweating on a scratching to get his best chance into Saturday’s $3m Guineas.

Racing trainer Stuart Kendrick.

Champion Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick is riding the high of his opening Magic Millions carnival winner as he now turns his attention to the three-year-old Guineas on Saturday.

The current 2023/24 leading provincial trainer and 10-time Sunshine Coast premiership winner said he was excited for the coming days.

“It’s that time of the year where you’ve got all the best trainers, jockeys, horses and sales that are all happening,” he said.

“It’s a real event now which is good to be a part of and hopefully we can have some horses that can be competitive.”

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Kendrick notched up his first carnival winner last Saturday thanks to three-year-old runner Defiant Spirit.

“It was good to get a winner on the first day of the carnival, every race is very competitive and hard to win especially during the metropolitan carnival so it was good to get a win there and hopefully we can snag another this weekend.”

It was a satisfying win for @kendrickracing1 after Defiant Spirit delivered on his promise! pic.twitter.com/3o0RbCM58I

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 6, 2024

The Kendrick stable would feature two key chances in the $3m 3YO Guineas in Defiant Spirit and Show Me Mercy who is the first emergency.

“Defiant Spirit has obviously got to step up a lot in grade to this Guineas race but you don’t often get to run in restricted sales races for $3m,” he said with a laugh.

“It’s worth a throw at the stumps, the one niggle with him is that he’s got to run the 1400m out but he was also a lot more relaxed in his race on the weekend which will help.

“I’m hoping Show Me Mercy sneaks in because he’s always probably been our leading chance.

“He was favourite in the Vo Rogue Plate last start but was a touch disappointing and Michael (Rodd) didn't think he was comfortable on that rain affected track at Doomben.

“I think he can bounce back, his work has been good since and he’s always shown a lot of ability so he’s in there with a chance if he can sneak in.”

Bailey Wheeler aboard Show Me Mercy. Picture: Facebook.

Following the barrier draw on Tuesday morning Defiant Spirit is $61 from barrier 23 while Show Me Mercy is $26 from barrier 16.

Debut chances King Spirit and Bank Book would also feature for Kendrick in their respective 2YO Colts and Geldings and Fillies Plate races.

“There both $500,000 races for horses that have never even had a start so it would be a nice way to kick off their career,” he said.

“They’ve both won trials at the Gold Coast to get into the race and I thought Bank Book was really impressive in her trial.

“She’s really well bred and I think she’s a good chance as a promising filly.

“King Spirit showed good improvement in both his trials as well so he’s also in with a chance.”

Kendrick was also keen to see how Zoumeteor and Zhuang Shi could perform in the Country Cup.

Originally published as Stuart Kendrick outlines top stable chances for Magic Millions carnival